Flight Schools (ERAU, Comair)

[Dan CFI/CFII]

Of course, on the flip side of the coin, a flying college can't offer everything "Joe's Flying SChool" can...

In a college town, there will be dozens upon dozens of young pilot willing to whore themselves out for the allmighty hour. I know when I had a twin (not for too long, but I had one), I absolutelly avoided airports with the multitudes of people trying to leech their way into flying with me. I took a lot of people I knew flying, but not if they were begging to go fly the 310...

That doesn't happen as much at "Joe's Flight School." The FBO I work at now, probably handles a dozen or so transient cross country airplanes a day (High Performance Singles, Twins, Jet -A burning stuff). There are not the usual bevy of young pilots trying to sidle up to the pilot of the exotic King Air with the "So, you got a King Air 90, huh" routine.

It's all a matter of opinion. I felt screwed by the college town, due to the overabundance of extremely young hour mongers, but here in a relatively large metropolitan area, even with an awful lot of CFIs on staff, I'm having a MUCH better time (I singed three people up for lessons this morning... )

So I'd say there are better opportunities here to meet people (which I tend to do anyway, I"m just a friendly kinda guy). Even if we rarely get jet operators (althought that is changing, our resteraunt is getting tres popular), we get lots of 421s, King Airs...

Dan

 

[EMcx2]

Avoid COMAIR at all costs. Making promises they do not keep is just one of the problems. Of course, they do not actually make promises, but those sales people sure make it sound as if a job flying a RJ is a slam-dunk. The reality is far different. If you are interested, go tour the school. Then talk to students and instructors one on one. Ask them what percentage of their indoc class has survived. Ask them about how much students go over the already expensive price quotes. Ask the students how they feel about paying $46 an hour for an instructor who had never flown a year ago. Ask an instructor how they feel about getting $10 an hour out of that $46.

I went there with my ASEL/AMEL because the admissions people said there was still a great chance of being hired as a CFI after finishing the program. Of the four guys in my indoc class who were there to do the CFI program, all four quit within 1 month. We all came to the same conclusion, that the chances of getting a job were slim so paying $17,000 to get CFI/CFII ratings just didn't make since.

 

[Crabtree]

Flight School

I can honestly say that I looked at schools for a very long time before making my choice. I just about exhausted every route to try ti figure out which is the best school to go to (for me). I finally ended up at PanAM. I am very happy with the training I am getting here, but I am at the Phoenix PanAM not the Fl one. From what I have been told there is a difference. If you have any questions just send a PM.

 

[Hovernut]

In defense of Comair:

An earlier post said CAA promised you a job. No, they don't and never had. They promise you an INTERVIEW with the airline upon successful completion of your teaching there.

The most recent poster is correct in the contract rates for students and instructors, which is KNOWN before signing-up! Believe me, I'm not in complete agreement with the rates, but I went in with my eyes open (and cheaper rates a couple years ago!) You're foolish if you go to ANY school and believe you're going to pay the advertised rate. Always plan for more. I did all my CAA training with just a 12% overage, of which I planned for and was pleasantly surprised. There are people who go waaay over, but flying in a fast-paced program is quite demanding.

Comair worked for me as advertised! Already having my PPL, I made it through in good time, got the CFI position, taught ground school, then flight instructed my way to the airline interview. I'm overjoyed to announce that I got my letter of acceptance to Comair Airlines just earlier this week!! That was at 1020/220, and I was a "high-timer" with the multi!

Was it a challenging program? Yes. Did I have to work hard? Yes! Did I have to put up with my fair share of BS? You bet; but you'll do that anywhere you train! Believe me, I've heard plenty of dirt at other prominent schools. Were the CFIs professional? Without a doubt, all the CFIs I had while going through the program ALWAYS had my best interest in mind. There was no "milking" going on in my airplane. Were my CFIs seasoned professionals? Well, most of them were 1-month to 1-year CFIs that knew a WHOLE lot more than me at that time in my training...I knew that going in...it's a pipeline as advertised. How am I as a "newbie" CFI? Eighty percent FAA pass rate, former CFI of the month, teaching advanced systems to senior CFIs, sought-after by students....all because my mentors instilled that work ethic in me and because of my background and self-study while in the program.

You'll have good people and you'll have screw-offs wherever you go. It's your job as a professional student to seek out the professionals and fire the others. Oust them if you can, they have no business molding new pilots.

How many became CFIs out of my indoc? A surprisingly smaller percentage that what I thought might be. But it was personal/financial decisions that drove them to leave. Those that really wanted it and held fast to their dream are teaching and are darned good instructors as a result!

I'm going to the airline; it worked. If you want more details, PM or email me.

Regards,
John, Longwood, FL